The number of total COVID-19 cases in Webster County since the pandemic began has now topped 500, with nearly 100 new cases over the past two weeks. As of Monday, the Mississippi State Department of Health said 512 positive test results had been reported here to date. That is an increase of 48 cases over the previous seven days, which was the same number of new cases the previous week. However, MSDH does not include Webster among high-incidence or high-case counties over the two-week period from Nov. 16-29 — the most recent period available for those rankings. The number of coronavirus-related deaths in the county remains at 14. At long-term care facilities, the total number of cases remains at 52 and deaths at 11. “I hope that people believe me when I say this is a time when the virus is extremely present," Gov. Tate Reeves said Dec. 1. "It is all around us right now, more than almost any time before. Please continue to be careful and safeguard yourself and your loved ones." Supervisors receive update On Monday, EMA Director Barry Rushing appeared before the Webster County Board of Supervisors with Safety Officer Stephanie Galloway of North Mississippi Medical Center-Eupora, who gave an update on COVID-19 activities in the county from the perspective of NMMC facilities and emergency rooms. "We are at a very dangerous level," Galloway said of the surge, stating NMMC is stretched systemwide. "It's time to get real nervous," she said later in the meeting. "The numbers are definitely climbing." Galloway related that the main unit in Tupelo is full and NMMC-Eupora had two COVID patients as of Monday. Because of the large number of positive cases, she said some COVID patients are being boarded in NMMC emergency rooms. Tupelo has over 200 staff out because they are either showing signs of the virus or are in quarantine, according to Galloway, and seven staff members at NMMC-Eupora are out "and it's climbing." "We're looking at how to bring them back as quickly as possible," she added. On average, Galloway said positive cases are being seen five to seven days after exposure. As the best prevention, Galloway urged the public to wear facemasks in public. "If we're not going to mask and social distance, it's only going to get worse," she said. Webster County was not under a mask mandate from the governor as of Monday; neighboring Oktibbeha was added last week. Although a vaccine is expected to be available by the end of the month, Galloway said healthcare workers and nursing home residents will be given first priority. Vaccines will probably not be administered to the public until next spring or so, she said. Galloway also discussed contingency plans in a worst-case scenario, and the board said the county would help in any way needed. Local Hospital Bed Availability COVID-19 Hospital Beds Availability as of Dec. 6 Webster Health Services, Eupora Total Staffed Beds: 38 Total Confirmed COVID Patients: 1 Available Staffed Beds: 24 MSDH Aggregate School COVID-19 Report as of Nov. 27 Only categories with at least one case/quarantine/outbreak listed. Note: Nov. 23-27 was Thanksgiving holiday for the Webster County Schools. East Webster Elementary School • Total new positive teachers/staff week of Nov. 23-27: 1-5 • Total positive teachers/staff since start of school: 1-5 • Total positive students since start of school: 1-5 East Webster High School • Total positive students since start of school: 9 • Total outbreaks since start of school: 1 Eupora Elementary School • Total positive students since start of school: 1-5 Eupora High School • Total positive teachers/staff since start of school: 1-5 • Total positive students since start of school: 6
